Primus Tracks chronicles the recordings of the American rock band Primus, one track at a time. Join Frankie and Josh (and sometimes Tim Soya!) as they create the ultimate Primus companion - a podcast for beginners and hardcore fans alike.
A podcast dedicated to those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make Trek into a cultural phenomenon, Mike Mann and Josh Bald probe the minds of writers, artists, technicians, and all manner of crew members who brought Trek to screens large and small.
Bald comedians Brian Huskey and Charlie Sanders interview bald performers, bald celebrities, and anyone bald about being bald. (And sometimes a hairy person might be in the mix.) While the conceit of the show is silly, the interviews and conversations are a platform for discussions about vulnerability, vanity, insecurity, and self image. That is just what happens when people have a good old fashioned Bald Talk.
For the people - Former University of Vermont basketball player and founder of The Post Company, Josh Elbaum, aims to bring insightful yet entertaining content - For the people.
Iconic and accomplished actor Fred Melamed (WandaVision, A Serious Man) joins Brian and Charlie to discuss how the shag hair style is just a sophisticated mullet, how it feels to be told you will be bald at the age of 14, and that no matter how far you’ve come or what you’ve accomplished, you still feel like you’ve got fuzz in the front and shag in…
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Hellbound 17 1/2 (theme from) w/ Zak Mendoza
50:40
50:40
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As we reach the halfway point of Tales From The Punchbowl, we encounter another Primus oddity. Hellbound is a unique track in the Primus catalogue, and drummer Zak Mendoza helps us understand just what in the world we're listening to and why Tim Alexander's left hand should be cast in gold. Also, you'll scream at Zak and Frankie for missing an obvi…
Bald super model Christie Valdiserri joins Brian and Charlie for a conversation about what it's like being the first bald model to be featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, founding her "Baldtourage", and breaking barriers in the modeling and dance world. They also discover that all three of them have done dramatic bald reveals on tel…
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Space Farm & Year of the Parrot w/ Soya & Luke Bemand
1:12:08
1:12:08
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Tim Soya and Luke Bemand return to break down Space Farm and Josh's absolute favorite Primus track, Year of the Parrot. Luke breaks down the musical elements, and Josh inquires as to how one finds their authentic voice without being derivative of one's influences. Plus, Soya talked to Ler and Herb specifically for this episode and drops some nugges…
Voted one of the Best Bassists of ALL TIME, Tony Levin has played with everyone from Peter Gabriel to Stevie Nicks to John Lennon, and of course his influential prog-rock band King Crimson. He discusses being an early adopter of shaving it off, his wig wearing alter ego, Vinny, and how bald musicians are the unicorns of the rock world. Brian and Ch…
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Southbound Pachyderm w/ Tim Solyan & Luke Bemand
1:10:31
1:10:31
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1:10:31
It's another foursome for Primus Tracks (we should start a charity golf tournament) - this time Josh, Frankie, and Soya welcome Luke Bemand of lespecial to dig into the bass line that gets latter-day Primus fans fired up. Soya provides more details about the Punchbowl album, and we're up to our old tricks with musical and lyrical analysis. Find les…
Rob Huebel zooms in to Bald Talk to join Brian and Charlie in a conversation about Rob originally dyeing his hair for an SNL audition, keeping even hair coloring on the road, laser combs, and the fact that Ben Franklin wanted the turkey to symbolize American, not the bald eagle. Also Charlie apologizes to Rob for being mean to him on a recent zoom …
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Wynona's Big Brown Beaver w/ Tim Solyan & Nick Croese
2:08:21
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It's the best-known Primus Track of them all! Josh and Frankie call in reinforcements to discuss the depth and breadth of the impact the unexpected success of this single had on Primus, MTV, and pop culture. Also, Soya gives Josh his phone number. Inner Circle Achievement Unlocked! Find us @primustracks on Instagram and Twitter!…
The man behind Keith Apicary and the Dad Series, comedian and prodigious creator, Nathan Barnatt breaks down the trope of bald as pervert, tells some great ghost stories, and pitches that he might be Buster Keaton reincarnated. All three baldies remember the glory days of trashing the UCB theater. And Charlie has internet problems, finally taking t…
Track 2 of Tales From The Punchbowl combines an earnest narrative with off-kilter music. What made this track as a single not so successful, where the Beaver song hit it big? Josh and Frankie get into those details, as well as some exemplary live versions, and Josh gets in touch with his vulnerable middle school self.…
Josh Gondelman, fantastic stand-up comedian and producer for the late night show "Desus & Mero," joins Brian and Charlie to discuss early hair loss, people recognizing you only when you remove your hat for a bald reveal, and what a joy it is being a producer for "Desus & Mero." Also, Josh and Brian team up to ease Charlie's intense anxiety about th…
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Professor Nutbutter's House Of Treats w/ Louis Ortega
1:02:41
1:02:41
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Ahoy! Senior bass analyst Louis Ortega helps us kick off Tales From The Punchbowl in style with a breakdown of the complex, mysterious Professor Nutbutter, which eventually turns into some fanboy fawning (damn you, Primus!). We get into the music, the lyrics, and the expansion of the Nutbutter story that was exclusive to the Punchbowl Enhanced CD f…
Co-host of The Daily Zeitgeist podcast and 90s media aficionado Miles Gray joins Brian and Charlie to discuss what reflective surfaces you first catch your reflection in and realize you're going bald, his male relatives overwhelming hairlessness, 90s bald icons, and having pirate facial hair. Also they discuss Brian being the Bruce Willis of comedy…
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Making of Tales From The Punchbowl w/ Tim Solyan
1:44:08
1:44:08
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Tim Solyan drops into Primus Tracks World Headquarters to give us the backstory on the making of Tales From The Punchbowl, the record that cemented Primus in 1990s culture. Soya assisted in the studio and retains numerous minute details about the making of the record. All aboard Captain Shiner's Yacht for a special exploration of Primus in the stud…
Hilarious stand up comedian Maz Jobrani joins Brian and Charlie to discuss his Iranian American mother's crazy bald solution she tried on his head, how salesman characters are bald in every culture, and where to get the best Iranian food in Los Angeles. They also dig into the hat game and all of the various varieties of hats. Learn more about your …
Bryan Kehoe is a force of nature, and brings his magnanimity to Primus Tracks. Kehoe discusses the earliest days of the Bay Area thrash and alt scenes, his time with M.I.R.V. and Kehoe International, and naturally, his run with Duo De Twang. Enjoy out conversation with this unstoppable man!By Josh & Frankie
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Alice Wetterlund is in a Relationship with Garret Lang Who is Bald
1:14:48
1:14:48
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Hilarious actress/stand up, Alice Wetterlund and her musician boyfriend, Garret Lang, couldn't be more in love! Alice admits how baldness used to be a deal breaker before meeting Garret and how the real issue might be that he plays jazz bass. A barrage of new bald terminology is generated, Garret's California style upbringing is examined, and Charl…
Elizabeth Gohr has taken live concert photos of numerous fantastic bands in the Bay Area, but she holds a special affinity for Primus - and it shows! Elizabeth discusses how to get the right shot of the band, the challenges of low lighting, and how to concentrate whilst trying to rock out. Visit Elizabeth at egohrphoto.com and @egohrphoto on facebo…
One of the great character actors of our time, as well as a writer and storyteller, Stephen Tobolowsky is truly a bald icon. He openly shares some of the most harrowing "going bald" tales ever told on the podcast, examines the personal advantages of baldness, and reveals some dark secrets about mechanic shops in the South. Brian's starstruck excite…
Mike Dillon joined Les Claypool's troupe for the Purple Onion album in 2002 and stuck around for the various incarnations of Claypool's band(s). He also joined Primus for the Wonka album and tour. As a touring and recording musician, Mike has crossed paths with dozens of luminaries, and somehow keeps a keen memory of tiny details from numerous tour…
Mark Kohr joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about getting his start in making music videos and the creative process. He has directed videos for Green Day, No Doubt, and Primus, to name a few. We go video by video for his recollections of working with Primus and Les Claypool! Find Mark at www.markkohr.com…
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Dr. Justin E. Rome is a Hair Restoration Specialist
1:09:26
1:09:26
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Brian and Charlie get educated on a topic they've lived with for decades and have been doing a podcast about for months - baldness. Their guest this week is Dr. Justin E. Rome, a hair restoration surgeon who discusses his altruistic career move to help people struggling with baldness, the actual scientific reasons for baldness, and myths about hair…
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Inter-Album Interview: Eenor Keeps On Creating
1:26:43
1:26:43
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Multi-instrumentalist Eenor (Frog Brigade, Yard Dogs Road Show) joins us to talk about the arc of his music career and his excellent run with Les and the Frog Brigade. He sheds light on many of the unusual instruments he brings to the table, and even plays some music for us! Find Eenor at eenor.bandcamp.com and eenor.com…
Josh and Frankie discuss two studio tracks recorded for compilations in 1993 and 1994. Poetry and Prose is a delightful meta-ditty, and Bastardizing Jellikit is the sleazy cousin of the rendition we all know from Suck On This. Take a big ol' bite of the cheese as Primus engages in "playing along" with their own popularity. @primustracks on Instagra…
Kelci Parker has worked at Adult Swim, as the director of talent & development at Comedy Central, with director Spike Jonze and is now senior manager of comedy at Hulu. She explores how losing her hair to alopecia at age seven has influenced her in a positive way, how important the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (https://www.naaf.org/) was to …
We've reached the end of Pork Soda, and revel in its triumvirate of instrumental tracks that close this inimitable record. Hamburger Train dominates the discussion, as it actually has a live history and is an 8-minute marvel. We give live commentary on the final three tracks and bid a fond farewell to the liquid pig. @primustracks on Instagram and …
Prolific director Adam Bernstein has directed such shows as 30 Rock, Fargo, Better Call Saul, and many, many more. He also directed a lot of your favorite music videos including the Beastie Boys video "Hey Ladies". He's also bald. He, Brian, and Charlie discuss casting bald people, Adam's failed attempt to avoid baldness by drinking Cel-Ray soda, a…
Colin Mochrie of Who's Line Is It Anyway and much more talks with Charlie and Brian about how his skull shape prevents him from going "full Bic'd" like Charlie and keeps him in the "classic ring" zone with Brian, recounts some hurtful bald slights from friends and fans, and all three do a deep dive into their shared love of improv. Learn more about…
The vaudevillian track The Air is Getting Slippery is perhaps Primus at its most suggestive, and has the air of something sordid, but Frankie helps Josh navigate the sweaty overtures of the lyrics, and they're able to sort out all of the references in the lyrics. Plus, Larry LaLonde on the banjo? MORE PLEASE! @primustracks on instagram and twitter.…
I'll tell you why: buried on the back half of Pork Soda is Mr. Krinkle, which has become a latter-day live staple and undisputable crowd pleaser. Josh and Frankie break down its appeal and why it's a reliable sampler for the uninitiated. Further, we pick apart the lyrics for the numerous references to people/places/things from the world of Les Clay…
The actor from Life in Pieces, Veep and Legit defends why a shaggy male pattern ring is hilarious, the definition of character actor, and his wife's initial disappointment that he was bald. Three baldies in the same room, recorded pre-pandemic!! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com…
(The) Pressman is one of a few tracks left over from the early days of Primus, and it finally made its way to a studio recording, stashed in the last half of Pork Soda. Josh and Frankie slowly come around on this previously-pedestrian track, delighting in its earnest approach bits of clever musicality.…
Will Hines is an actor, writer, comedian, podcaster, and author. He's also bald. Will discusses with Brian and Charlie such topics as when he first saw he had a bald spot in a security camera, how, unlike Charlie, his brothers are balding, and bald dating. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com…
The title track of the 1993 effort is a novelty mishmash self-indulgent parody of advertising and a metaphor for what Les Claypool sees Primus as in the public eye. Josh and Frankie get into some live performances, the inspiration for the track, do some visualizations, and find a disturbing meme centered on the term Pork Soda. Grab yourself a can a…
From Corporate, Adam Ruins Everything, and CollegeHumor, Adam shares heartbreaking tales of bald mockery from children, too many bald jokes in his stand up and the freedom he felt when he took the hairless plunge. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comBy Big Money Players Network & iHeartRadio
An unexpected Tim Alexander composition divides the two halves of Pork Soda. We get into the specifics of the recording of this track, which occurred separately from the rest of the album, try to get into the mind of one Tim Alexander, and spend some time with the only known live performance of the track. I WAS THERE!…
The Senior Programmer for the Tribeca Film Festival and founding member of the hip-hop group Dujeous, Loren Hammonds, is bald. He discusses going from having a lot of hair to no hair very quickly, moving from going to barbers to shaving your own head, what he looks for when he is programming the Tribeca Film Festival, and much more. Also, there is …
Nature Boy, an enigmatic track that delights and confounds when it rears its hydra heads in concert. Senior bass analyst Louis Ortega drops in to demonstrate its many memorable bass licks, and we all hail Tim Alexander for his transcendent drumming.By Josh & Frankie
Matt Walsh of Veep and co-founder of The Upright Citizen's Brigade Theater discusses how his red hair is his more dominant trait than his bald head, the vicious bald insults his character Mike McLintock and Brian's character Leon West received on Veep, and how being bald is worse than being very tall. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www…
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Primus Tracks


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The Ol' Diamondback Sturgeon w/ Anthony Garcia
48:28
48:28
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A standout offering from Pork Soda, The Ol' Diamondback Sturgeon serves as a companion piece to Fish On and provides just as many delights. Our ol' pal Anthony Garcia joins in the fun to examine the monster drum sound, understated bass (until that massive solo) and the overall ambiance. Bonus points if you have that shirt!…
Colton Dunn, of Key & Peele, Parks & Rec, Superstore, and much more chats with Brian and Charlie about who's hair he would have if he could have hair, why he and Brian have beards, and how Colton's fingers have mysteriously gotten skinnier during the pandemic. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com…
Pork Soda is a bass clinic that demands an expert, therefore, junior bass analyst Matt Hunter joins Primus Tracks for a trip to the DMV. What's up with all the tapping, and why does it make so much sense? How is Tim so precise? Just what the hell is Larry doing (again)? We dig into it and postulate as to why it's such a live rarity. Call it...point…
Hollywood's top wig maker, Amy Gibson, tells Brian and Charlie how not-traumatizing at all it was to start going bald at 13 while being a child soap opera star, tells the incredible tale of how she spun her character so as not to reveal her baldness, and gives some tips on how to get intimate if you're a bald woman. Learn more about your ad-choices…
Josh and Frankie take on arguably the darkest of Primus Tracks, and delve into what gives Pork Soda such a reputation. They also take apart the lyrics and how they match with the accompanying quasi-blues riffs. Even for Primus, it's kind of a weird one. Fish on!By Josh & Frankie
Multi-credited TV and movie actor Rob Corddry shares his bald father's terse advice, breaks down the commercial he and Huskey shot together that couldn't have two bald guys in it, and gets real about the pandemic when Brian's drops off the Zoom momentarily. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com…
Welcome to Track 3 from Pork Soda, in which Josh and Frankie delve deep into Primus history to find the origins of this track, and Frankie's lyrical interpretation opens up a whole new world for Josh! This is one of the most sinister-sounding tracks in Primus history, and they're ready to take it on! @primustracks on Instagram and Twitter spread th…
Brad Morris of "Playing House", "Cougar Town", and much more discusses becoming suddenly bald by way of Alopecia, how it affected his acting career, and the few but powerful bonuses of having no hair at all. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comBy Big Money Players Network & iHeartRadio
We've arrived at 1993's Pork Soda! Josh and Frankie get into some of the circumstances around the recording of the album and tackle the first single from the album, which is nearly ubiquitous at Primus shows and on playlists. We are back at it with track origins, recording equipment, live history, music&lyrics, and how it all comes together. Wipe o…
The "Black Monday" star dissects the bald head/action hero rule with Charlie and Brian, and opens up about how MTV made him wear a hat for his sketch show "Human Giant". Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comBy Big Money Players Network & iHeartRadio
The most handsome, and bald, of the "Queer Eye" crew shares his thoughts on self acceptance, the secret society of one named celebs and his new skin care line, Mantl. Charlie opens up with a self love story. Check out Mantl here!: https://mantl.co/ Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com…